Hawzah News Agency (Moscow, Russia) - "I am a Palestinian'', Maradona said in a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Abbas in Moscow.

The two met in the Russian capital ahead of the World Cup final.

"You are the best," Abbas told Maradona in English and the Argentinian legend replied in Spanish "My heart is Palestinian."

Maradona later wrote in a post on his Instagram account, "This man wants peace in Palestine."

In 2012, he said he was "the number one fan of the Palestinian people" and in 2014 was said to be considering coaching the Palestinian football team.